The Inter-American Defense College (IADC), located on Fort Lesley J. McNair, was formally opened on 9 October 1962 when the Honorable Dean Rusk, then Secretary of State of the United States, presented the building and furnishings donated by the United States Government.

The Inter-American Defense College (IADC), located on Fort Lesley J. McNair, was formally opened on 9 October 1962 when the Honorable Dean Rusk, then Secretary of State of the United States, presented the building and furnishings donated by the United States Government. Doctor Jose A. Mora, then Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), was the principal speaker at the opening ceremony. The first class, with 29 students representing 15 American republics, received their diplomas on 20 March 1963 with then Vice President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, giving the graduation address and awarding diplomas.

The IADC is an international educational institution operating as an element of the OAS through the Inter-American Defense Board. It provides a professionally oriented, multidisciplinary, graduate-level course of study. This eleven-month program provides senior military and government officials with a comprehensive understanding of governmental systems, the current international environment, structure and function of the Inter-American system, and an opportunity to study broad based security issues affecting the Hemisphere and the world. The development of these concentrations is accomplished through the detailed study of political, economic, psychosocial, and military factors of power. The College takes advantage of the unparalleled educational and research facilities in the Washington DC. area as well as external academic visits to the Americas. Faculty and students also engage in research and publishing.

The IADC is unique in the Western Hemisphere in that the faculty and the student body are international. Broad international participation gives an unusual opportunity for the exchange of ideas and offers the foundation for better inter-American understanding. The extensive academic curriculum and close association of faculty and students representing a diversity of ideas and backgrounds fosters close professional and personal cooperation. Students and faculty share strong democratic values and a continuing commitment to strengthening democratic institutions in the Americas.

Each member country of the OAS may submit candidates for attendance at the IADC. Since its beginning, 2,669 students from 26 different countries have graduated from the college. Over 40 percent of the graduates have risen to general officer/flag ranks or the civilian equivalent. They occupy senior leadership roles in their respective countries. As demonstrated through its graduates, the College educates talented men and women for important, future leadership roles in the Americas.

From Virginia:

1. Take highway 395 North, stay in lane marked for highway 395.

2. Go over the 14th Street Bridge.

3. Continue on 395 North.

4. Exit to the right at the Maine Avenue exit. Stay to the left.

5. After a stop sign, continue straight to the light and make a left turn onto Maine Avenue.

6. Continue straight on Maine Avenue; it will change to M Street.

7. Continue straight on M Street, turn right onto 4th Street (on the left side of the street there is a small shopping center – Waterside Mall, and you will see a Safeway sign).

8. Stay in the right lane on 4th Street, the road will turn left and become P Street.

9. Take the immediate right turn into the Ft. McNair gate. You are now on 3rd Avenue inside Ft. McNair.

10. At the end of 3rd Avenue, turn right onto B Street. The IADC, Building 52, is on the right.

11. Parking is at the end of B Street to the right in front of a picnic area.

Type in the search field “Colegio Interamericano de Defensa” or “Inter-American Defense College”. The screen will appear immediately showing the location of the College. Press “GO”, and follow the driving instructions.

Via GPS:

Type in the following address:

Street Number: 210

Street Name: B St. SW

City: Washington, D.C.

ZIP Code: 20319

Via the Internet:

In Google Maps type in the search bar: “Colegio Interamericano de Defensa” or “Inter-American Defense College”. The screen will appear immediately showing a small College Location Map, in addition to its address and some photographs. Click on the map and the screen will bring you to a bigger map with the exact location of the College. On the left side of the screen also find the “Get Directions”. You must enter the address or point of start / departure. Once you enter the address (for example, your home), you must select the mode in which you will be traveling: Car, Public Transit or Walking. Once you make a selection, Google Maps will calculate possible routes to get to the IADC.